U of L becomes Out for Work Certified!

The University of Louisville’s Career Center has been certified by the national nonprofit organization Out for Work for its strategies to serve the career development needs of LGBT students.  Certification by the organization brings attention to the center’s mission to serve all students effectively and the additional programs that target LGBT concerns.

“We are excited to be certified as a career center that reaches out to LGBT students,” said interim director Matt Real.  “We know they have unique concerns about transitioning from college to the workforce, and we are planning a host of activities to support them.”

Career coach Candace Lamb kicked off the center’s Werk IT Career series during U of L Pride Week September 23 with a session on career exploration and preparation.  A panel of current and former students shared stories of the challenges they faced as LGBT applicants for positions and covered some of the strategies they have used to be successful.  Lamb will facilitate monthly sessions throughout the academic year to address other aspects of career preparation including resume building, dressing for interviews, and finding mentors.

Lamb attended the national Out for Work conference in Washington DC recently to gather information about how career centers can better support LGBT students. She will be spearheading the Career Center’s efforts and serves as a point of contact for LGBT students with questions or concerns.

“This effort has brought together two important interests for me,” said Lamb.  “I’m passionate about career development, and I’m also dedicated to creating a campus climate that welcomes and includes LGBT students.  Out for Work certification means I can do both.”

The next session in the series is focused on understanding and identifying the values important to LGBT students as they consider their future careers. It will be held at noon in the Cultural Center on October 29th.